US3904226A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hitch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-09-04
•
Granted: 1975-09-09
•
Expires: 1993-09-04
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a hitch construction for use in towing vehicles, said construction having means for mounting the hitch on a towing vehicle and providing a connection for engagement with the tongue or similar part of the vehicle to be towed, the hitch embodying shock absorbing construction operable to reduce the forces on both the towed and towing vehicles which are not only uncomfortable but may be damaging to such vehicles, including cushion means in the form of compressible bushings located in a housing, which provides for deflection of the bushing within predetermined limits to a point where no further deflection is permitted and starting and stopping forces are dissipated.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl J Smalley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:12
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/48; B60D1/50; F; F16; F16F; F16F1/00; F16F1/36; F16F1/371; F16F1/3713; F16F1/373; F16F1/3732; F16F3/00; F16F3/08; F16F3/087; F16F3/0873; F16F2236/00; F16F2236/04; F16F2236/045; F16F2236/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
In hitch construction in combination, a mounting member, a tubular housing connected thereto, connecting instrumentalities within said housing, said instrumentalities including a connector extending out of the housing, a connecting part fastened to the connector, a load transfer element fixed to the housing, said part extending through said element, restraining means carried by the instumentalities and shock absorbing means intermediate the restraining means and the transfer element whereby a load tending to move the connector in and out of the housing will be cushioned in movement in both directions and comprises elastomeric compressible bushings mounted on the connecting part at opposite sides of the load transfer element and between the restraining means and contained entirely within the housing, the crosssectional area of the housing being greater than that of the bushings, the connecting part includes a nut disposed at least partially outside said housing and positioned to adjust the compression including prestressing of the bushings whereby to vary the deflection directed to the connector, the total deflection being limited by the diameter and length of the housing within which the bushings are confined, which is proportioned to limit the diameter and length to which the bushings may be deflected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
In hitch construction in combination, a mounting member, a tubular housing connected thereto, connecting instrumentalities within said housing, said instrumentalities including a connector extending out of the housing, a connecting part fastened to the connector, a load transfer element fixed to the housing, said part extending through said element, restraining means carried by the instumentalities and shock absorbing means intermediate the restraining means and the transfer element whereby a load tending to move the connector in and out of the housing will be cushioned in movement in both directions and comprises elastomeric compressible bushings mounted on the connecting part at opposite sides of the load transfer element and between the restraining means and contained entirely within the housing, the crosssectional area of the housing being greater than that of the bushings, the connecting part includes a nut disposed at least partially outside said housing and positioned to adjust the compression including prestressing of the bushings whereby to vary the deflection directed to the connector, the total deflection being limited by the diameter and length of the housing within which the bushings are confined, which is proportioned to limit the diameter and length to which the bushings may be deflected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |